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1) I am based in Southeast Asia (UTC +8) so my posting hours may be unusual (especially for those in North America). I usually update at least one or twice per day. Just to keep the game moving, please post at least once every day and at least once during the weekend. If you disappear for more than 24 hours, especially during combat, I will simply place your character on infinite delay just to keep things moving.
2) Please label all three of your actions. Even if you think what you are doing is obvious.
3) If I am unavailable for longer than 24 hours, I will let you know in the Discussion Tab. Out of respect for your fellow players and myself, I ask that you do the same. Real life happens, and real life will always take priority over the game, but out of fairness for your fellow players, please let us know if you will be unavailable for an extended period of time.
4) Please complete the Macros and the Slides linked at the top of the page.
5) Questions, concerns? Feel free to share them in the Discussion tab.
6) Let's have some fun and tell a great story together! After all, that's what we are here for.
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You each arrive at the Pathfinder field base in the Blackwood Swamp, having received a letter from V-C Ambrus Valsin.
Pathfinders,
The recent discovery of ancient Azlanti ruins beneath the Blackwood Swamp, outside the port city of Cassomir in Taldor, has caught the Society’s attention. Leaders of the Society’s internal factions have already sent word that they need help with a variety of missions. Since you’re all newer members to the Pathfinder Society, it makes sense for you to go and gain some much-needed field experience. You can also learn more about the factions and their primary interests. I suggest you begin by speaking with Fola Barun, leader of the Envoy’s Alliance. She has been working to find local allies and this seems like a wise first step. Otherwise, use your own judgement, of course, and seek out the faction leaders in any order you wish.
I know there is much to remember as new Pathfinder Society agents, so here is a reminder: Gorm Greathammer is the leader of the Grand Archive, a faction dedicated to finding and preserving knowledge. Calisro Benarry leads the Horizon Hunters in their efforts to explore new places. Eando Kline is the leader of the Vigilant Seal and is deeply dedicated to finding and containing dangerous items and artifacts. I am sure each of them will have something important for you to undertake.
Explore, Report, Cooperate!
—Ambrus Valsin
Venture-Captain of the Grand Lodge
Azlanti was an ancient empire known for its magical achievements. It for thousands of years in the now-lost continent of Azlant in the Arcadian Ocean. Scholars believe their social, technological, and magical learning were more advanced than what is commonly found in Golarion today.
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A tall woman in leathers strolls into the camp. Her light pink, clearly-dyed hair is done up in a high wispy ponytail that helps to soften the sharp angles of her face. She gives the camp a long look with her piercing brown eyes.
Her ears are heavily rounded, making it hard to tell she's anything but human at a glance, but the mild point and sharp features indicate some elven blood in her immediate family. She wears a jaunty green scarf that compliments her hair color and covers all but the upper reaches of a nasty looking scar that stars at her left ear and reaches down her jaw line and under the scarf. It also seems to reach to her left hand even leaving it a mass of scarred skin over an otherwise working hand.
She pauses at the outside of camp, commenting to herself for the most part, "I wonder who I'll be grouped with this time?" Hopefully not any kobolds. I still can't completely abide them... Not after that time in the Sewers.
She looks around the sight. "Hrmm, You'd never Be able to tell that a group of people with more magical and technological ability were living here... But then I guess that's partially why it was never discovered earlier...."
After a moment, she starts to look for Fola Barun. The letter recommended it and she'd probably know what group Rose had been assigned to in the first place.
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An elven man enters into the room, he is dressed as a woodsman. He wears leather armor and has a bow on his back. His purple eyes shine with friendliness and his hair is long and white. He looks around and greets those he has journeyed with in the past. To the new comers, Greetings, I am Thalaasi Elevas of Kyonin, I am a follower of Keypthis, the Hunter.
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"Good to meet you all." Nilaglade glows a pale yellow. "I'd shake your hands, but it's tough to reach from here."
"This swamp used to be a forest. Then settlements made a mess of things and built a moat around their city. Hopefully we don't see any hydras out in the swamp; I'm nobody's food."
Deroff the 1st trots around the room, looking for an easy snack. "Let's seek out Fola Braun first, eh?"
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"Holy smokes! A talking wolf is on our team.", Ysoldt jumps with glee. "BEST. ASSIGNMENT. EVER!", the woman runs towards the canine. Her stride seems light, almost dance-like, and she wears a leather vest hidden underneath some plain clothing. She definitely doesn't seem like the strong type, but a certain degree of body care is certainly visible. She makes sure to quickly stra in her dagger with her nimble hands as she approached.
She leans towards the wolf, and notices Nilaglade. "Oh... It's a little dude." she states with a hint of disappointment, but covers it up, to an extent.
"Uh - hey! Nice to meet you, everyone. Ysoldt.", she offers handshakes to everyone new, and carefully pets the wolf's snout.
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"I mean, that's a given. Good company knows good company. And I bet this furball here is a GOOD BOY! Aren't you?”
Ysoldt attempts to get the wolf to play. For a short while. After that is done, she pulls out her medical kit, lockpicks, and ropes.
"On a more relevant note... I get into places, I open doors, I bandage wounds when plans B to F happen. Just so that you know what to expect. Among other things...", she has a cocky smile on her face ... again.
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Rose walks up to the group of Pathfinders assembled and looks at Deroff with an almost hunger in her eyes. "Ah, someone brought a trained wolf? That's friendly even!" She squats down and offers her hand palm up for a sniff. "Who's a good boy? You are!"
Mistaking her for the wolf's owner, Rose stands up and looks over at Ysoldt. "What's his name? Can he have dried fish? I have a couple from the boat ride over here. Also I'm Rose Thesar. It's a pleasure to meet you."
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Thalaasi! Good to see you! I hear it was you, Lokaloka and Dengar that helped get us access to the ruins!"
Speaking loudly in the doorway is a handsome halfling. A couple of inches over 3 feet with wavy hair, he gestures expansively towards the magus. He isn't wearing his normal tailored dark red suit but has opted for some stylish leathers to accompany his fancy shirt. In one hand he holds a large bottle of wine and somehow holds four glasses in the other.
"Where are the rest of them?" he asks, placing his supplies on the table. "I'll grab my stuff when we head out."
Turning to the rest of the assembled Pathfinders, "Wow, new friends! Alluring ladies, creatures of magic. This is going to be a good day! Allow me to introduce myself. Eldon Goodbarrell, Agent of the Radiant Oath, hater of slavery and most things Chelaxian. I have heard such things about the Blackwood swamps...." he continues talking as he pours, somehow finding an extra small mug about his person.
He distributes the wine to those assembled.
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He holds his hand in a wait manner at Eldon and goes to talk to Nilaglade. With a bow he speaks
He then goes to Eldon Lokaloka was a fine traveling companion though her fascination with pickles is a bit disconcerting, though she was not stingy with them.
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"Kintargo was Chelaxian when I was born! So obviously not everything Chelaxian! I hope you don't hold things I might say against me..." Eldon smiles, disarmingly.
For those who have not met him before, you may notice that he wears well made boots, unusual for a halfling.
|"Cassomir has not been much fun so far but it will be nice to schmooze with some higher ups from the Society"
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You meet with Fola Barun of the Envoy’s Alliance,who wants to establish better ties with the Tskikha iruxi enclave. Fola wants to expand the relationship Rain in Cloudy Day started, perhaps even recruiting some of the iruxi into the Society as future agents.
A thick, low fog shrouds the early morning landscape of the Pathfinder field base atop a low hill in a clearing of the Blackwood Swamp. People busily move between several brightly colored tents.
A dark-skinned half-elf with several silvery tattoos decorating her face smiles widely and steps close to shake hands.
"Pathfinders," she says, "thank you for coming! My name is Fola Barun, and I am the leader of the Envoy’s Alliance.Do I correctly understand you are new to the Pathfinder Society? Please, tell me about yourselves."
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Rose, drinking from a tea cu pshe produced from her pack blinks for a moment. She did try to be somewhat forgettable, but to be forgotten by the leader of her own faction, and a woman known for knowing people, was a bit too forgettable. She extends a hand and gives Fola's a shake. "Rose Thesar. We met at my initiation, when I joined the Envoy's Alliance, remember? Well I did train myself on how to use a Jezail... Anyways it's nice to see you again. I hear you were looking for a group of us to do something for you? "
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So many tall people around here. Most of them think Rose's wolf carries a lantern. Well, it's better than nothing.
"Fola Braun, it's good to be here. I'm Nilaglade, and this wolf is my friend Deroff. Our forays into cities and civilizations have been... mostly useful. I figured the Pathfinder Society would get me more exposure." He coughs.
"How can we help you now?"
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"Well, Fola, I'm a friendly chap with fire running through my veins. I've been through training at the Grand Lodge, having come there from Kintargo, where I had been freed from 'ownership' by a Chelaxian noble family. I have a great love of the finer things in life and I love an exciting adventure." Eldon smiles sweetly (or maybe cheekily?)
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"Well, I guess I'm newer then some. I've been around a while but haven't seen much action."
Lucentis extends one hand toward Nola as he bows while doffing his cap with another. Turning the cap towards Eldon, the halfling can see on the inner band is stitched a small purple flower that hangs from its stem like a bell.
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"It is good you have come. Members of the Envoy’s Alliance faction seek cooperation as our primary way to further the goals of the Pathfinder Society. This means cooperation within our own ranks, but also with allies and potential allies throughout the world."
"One of our recruits recently established contact with a remote iruxi enclave in the Blackwood Swamp, called the Tskikha enclave. I would like to help grow that relationship. According to rumor, they recently had some sort of trouble. This is where you come in."
"I want you go to the Tskikha enclave and meet with their leader, Chief Thakik. Tell her that you wish to aid them in whatever way you can. Your primary mission is to build trust and prove that Pathfinders are worthy allies."
Fola pauses a moment and her face fills with concern.
"If you’re asked to undertake dangers on behalf of the Tskikha, please be careful. While alliances are important, the safety of our agents is worth more to me. Too many Pathfinders have been lost heedlessly charging into danger."
"What questions do you have?"
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"Ah, back to the swamp. Fair enough.", Ysoldt enters the doscussion as she wanders into the vicinity. "I would be Ysoldt. I don't think we've met."
She bows her head slightly. "Sorry, I was just schmoozing about, trying to figure out who is who, when I realised I got separated from these rascals here.", she point to the rest of the group.
"Any specific information on what kind of trouble did they get themselves in this time?"
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Fola sees Rose's face flush.
"My pardon, Rose! Of course I remember you. Just a bit too caught up in the activities here, and I didn't expect to see that you're part of this group. When you get back, we'll catch up on what you've been doing after your initiation."
***
The trip to the iruxi encampment takes only 30 minutes.
Past a ring of sharpened stakes stands a cluster of low mounds that rise above the rest of the swamp. Smoke curls from holes in the top of each mound. A few iruxi curiously peer out from behind flaps in the entrances.
After speaking with some of the villagers, you are directed to the largest mound where you can find Chief Thakik and her best scout, Kazuuk.
An imposing iruxi woman sits atop a throne crafted from the bones of several swamp animals. "So, you are the ones sent? Let us hope you are as well-spoken and respectful as the one who came before you, the leshy called Rain in Cloudy Day."
Her face brightens at the sight of Eldon, Ysoldt and Thalaaasi.
"Ah! I recognize you. I welcome you back. However, I do not recognize your companions."
"There is a hill nearby, topped with an ancient structure. It’s of little interest to us, but two days ago, a scout of our enclave, Igix, disappeared near there. We were about to send Kazuuk," the chief points to another iruxi, "to see what he can learn. But with you here, we can test the quality of the Pathfinders, yes?"
"Accompany Kazuuk to the ruin and learn what happened to our scout. Overcome any trouble you find. Kazuuk will see what you are capable of. Impress him, and you will have my trust."
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Kazuuk also recognizes Ysoldt, Thalaasi and Eldon and greets them warmly.
"Ysoldt! Thalaasi! Eldon! Nice to see you again! I know I will have good allies when we go find Igix! If we encounter enemies, we should see who can kill them more spectacularly! I have learned new tricks since we last met! What happened to that small one who was with you? The one with beady red eyes? And the dwarf?"
He doesn't recognize the remaining party members and pretty much ignores them.
Rose, Nilaglade and Lucentis can attempt to improve Kazuuk's mood towards them.
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Rose gives the two iruxi a smile and a greeting that mirrors what she had seen any of the other members of the clan using when the group passed through the enclave.
"It is a pleasure to meet you both. I hope we can show you how useful and benevolent the Pathfinders can be. For one, I can help find any traps that we might run into... I have a bad history with them."
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Ysoldt steps forward to Kazuuk. "Nice to see you again. Unfortunately, Lokaloka and Dengar were called off to a different mission entirely."
She notices how Kazuuk looks at Nilaglade, and intercepts. "Not to worry. Our superios vouched for these agents. They will surely bring their own creative solutions to any challenges we will face. Underestimating newcomes does not suit you. Remember the last time we met."
She taps Kazuuk on the shoulder, and looks back to Nilaglade with a wink.
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Kazuuk looks at you for a while, tilting his head to one side, then the other. He silently blinks... first one eye, then the other, in an unnerving fashion, before answering. His answer is curt, but, although not hostile, verges on the edge of rudeness.
"Wisdom and being able to think on one's feet."
At your words, Kazuuk's jaws part in what could only be a wide smile. He claps you on your shoulder, a blow that almost sends you sprawling.
"I agree! Traps and I have a bad history too! Unless I'm the one that set them!"
As you make your way to the hill, you have an opportunity to impress Kazuuk. Either:
Impress by Etiquette: Diplomacy/Performance/Society
You can speak politely to Kazuuk, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and diplomatic skill.
Impress by Knowledge: Arcana/Lore/Nature/Occultism/Religion
You can share a tidbit of knowledge that Kazuuk may not be aware of
OR
You can "make something up" (Deception)
Impress with Skill: Acrobatics/Athletics/Crafting/Medicine/Survival
You can demonstrate an impressive ability or technique that Kazuuk finds useful.
Each player may make up to 2 checks.
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"My apologies, Kazuuk." Nilaglade rides up to the Iruxi. "I'm not used to your city or style. Deroff and I hail from dryer landscapes; we probably reek of rosemary. What are your favorite crops, and how do you cook them?" Cuisine was an easy avenue to friendly relationships and easy favors.
"If you suspect your friend is buried underneath rubble, it will take time and effort to dig them out. Best to send in a tiny scout, eh?" Nilaglade spots a small pile of rocks and dismounts Deroff the First. "So I could take a look without disturbing the pile. Like this."
"Just a little bit... er... right... left wing always gets stuck... okay, there we are."
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Lucentis starts looking around for useful herbs.
"See these leaves here? If you steep them and breath in the steam, they can help soothe your nose and throat. And those..."
He starts to pick another plant and smear it onto a bandage.
"Can cool an irritation of the skin, but you have to be careful not to use too much or it can leave a stain that will stay with you for weeks." he adds, scraping some of it off the bandage.
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Ysold jumps from rock to rock like a mountain goat, gaining a head start with ease. She stops when she sees some flora, and waits up. When Lucentis and Kazuuk move by, she hears the sorcerer talk about the stains.
"Oh-", she ponders what he just said. "Well that explains the-", she thinks out loud without realising, and notices people looking. "Forget I said anythiiiing...", she shouts back as she continues moving forward with cat-like moves, her cheeks a little rosier than usual. Must be the cold.
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Rose takes a moment to see is she can't recall anything about iruxi society.
"I remember quite a few iruxi tribes have a fascination with the stars and their movements. Do the Tskikha also have a reverence for celestial bodies?"
She then tries to show off in crossing the swamp by climbing up into a few of the trees and moving around for a while exclusively off the ground.
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It takes approximately 2 hours for Kazuuk to lead you to the ruins. The swamp is smelly, noisy, and treacherous, but Kazuuk is an excellent scout and guides you without incident.
A cracked structure, coated with creeping tendrils of moss and lichen, rises from the swamps atop a low hill ahead. The air is still here, as if waiting for a breath of wind. Even the usually noisy cries of animals fall silent close to the building. A set of broad stairs facing southeast lead up into darkness.
The structure here is part of larger Azlanti facility used to conduct research. It has fallen into a state of disrepair. Most of the underground chambers remained and stood mostly undisturbed for the last thousands of years. The Tskikha settled in this area long ago and prefer to stay away from the ruins, as they know that ruins can be dangerous. Further, they feared that if word of the ruins were to spread, they might attract unwanted attention.